What Happened
Residents in Plano, Texas voted down a single ballot proposition that would have established new taxes on tickets, parking, car rentals, hotel rooms, and professional teams. According to unofficial results, 54.6 percent of the more than 102,000 votes cast opposed the measure. The proposed levies were designed to help the municipality pay off up to $700 million in bonds committed toward a $3 billion mixed-use project at The Shops at Willow Bend, which includes a $1 billion arena. Although the tax measure failed, the vote did not explicitly decide whether the arena itself can be constructed.
Key Details
- 54.6 percent of over 102,000 votes were against the proposal.
- Taxes would have targeted tickets, parking, car rentals, hotels, and pro teams.
- Funds were slated to pay off up to $700 million in city bonds.
- The overall development project is estimated at $3 billion.
- The Dallas Stars intended to sign a 30-year lease for the city-owned venue.
- Current leases at the American Airlines Center expire in 2031.
What It Means
The Dallas Stars have eyed a move approximately 20 miles north of downtown, aiming for a 2031 opening to coincide with the expiration of their American Airlines Center lease. With Plano voters rejecting the specific tax mechanism tied to the municipal bonds, the future funding structure for the arena portion of The Shops at Willow Bend redevelopment faces uncertainty, though city officials maintain the broader site remains an important community opportunity.
What's Next
City leaders and team officials will need to evaluate alternative funding and next steps for the proposed development following the Plano vote.